Richard Lazarus

Richard Lazarus serves as the Howard J. and Katherine W. Aibel Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, where he has established himself as one of the nation’s foremost authorities on environmental and natural resources law. His career bridges academia, public service, and litigation, with a particular focus on the intersection of law, science, and policy.

Prior to his tenure at Harvard, Lazarus was a professor at Georgetown University Law Center and served as an assistant to the Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he represented the federal government in numerous high-stakes environmental cases before the Supreme Court. His scholarly work is widely cited, including his influential book *The Making of Environmental Law*, which traces the evolution of U.S. environmental policy and remains a cornerstone text in the field.

Lazarus has argued or briefed over 40 cases before the Supreme Court, including landmark matters involving the Clean Water Act and climate change. He also served as counsel for the state of Massachusetts in *Massachusetts v. EPA*, the pivotal 2007 decision that affirmed the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Law Institute.

A prolific writer and sought-after commentator, Lazarus continues to shape legal discourse on environmental protection, energy policy, and the role of courts in addressing contemporary ecological challenges.